• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.163-174
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• 2016

The object of this study identifies the weights of SWOT factors in hidden champion. And the other purpose of the study is to test the differences of weight between Korea hidden champion group and Germany theirs group. The survey research is employed for the hidden champion CEOs of two countries. This research is employed the AHP(Analytic Hierarchy Process) for the weight of SWOT factors in hidden champion based on an empirical survey done to 61 firms which are to be fostered as Korean type hidden champion and 40 firms which are to be fostered as Germany type hidden champion. And then the t-test assesses whether the weight means of two groups are statistically different from each other. The weights of SWOT factors of hidden champion have been identified. There are the differences of weight between Korea group and Germany group. The order of Korea group's weight is following by the strength (0.3062), the opportunities (0.2344), the threat (0.1804), and the weakness (0.1157). The order of Germany group's weight is following by the strength (0.2603), the opportunities (0.2286), the threat (0.1604), and the weakness (0.1432). The technology capability of strength, the lack of knowledge on overseas market of weakness and the market uncertainty of thereat have statistically differences between two groups. However, the sub-factors of opportunities statistically have no differences.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.141-149
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• 2016

In a rapidly changing global environment and the massive development in IT technology, Manufacturing SMEs have difficulties in lack of resources and competencies continued to have strong growth potential "Korean Hidden Champion(K Champ)". In order to overcome the difficulties of Manufacturing SMEs, we examined the core competencies using the AHP and proposed the K Champ development strategy. The implications in the academic is as follows: First, the suggestions for development strategy plan was drawn for the K Champ's core competencies with the recognized importance by the CEO or business executives. Secondly, the manufacturing SMEs were broken down by industry structural characteristics variables(sales amounts, industry sectors, business types and delivery methods) and the importance was investigated, analyzed and clarified. This study is intended to develop strategies of Gyeongsangnam-do manufacturing SMEs for K Champ such as German 'Hidden Champion'. We identified the importance of the level of core competencies and the coherent alternative policy direction and practical alternative were proposed. These mean the concrete relationship of core competencies for the K Champ transition and suggest a realistic directional needed for the local manufacturing SMEs in the proposed 'Government's Development Policy for Korean Hidden Champion'.

• Fourth Industrial Review
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

Purpose - This case study analyzes the internationalization strategy and innovation strategy as key factors contributing to the business success of CAP, a small and medium-sized manufacturing company in Korea producing auto parts such as wipers. This study describes the diversification strategies conducted by CAP Corporation and highlights the company's core competencies that have largely contributed to their global competitive success. Research design, data, and methodology - This paper provides in-depth case study on how CAP was able to grow into a hidden champion company, focusing on their strategies since its establishment. In particular, by analyzing the success factors centering on CAP's aggressive innovation strategy and internationalization strategy, it presents guidelines for small and medium-sized enterprises in Asian countries to become a Hidden Champion company. Result - CAP's product technology has successfully established innovative system on their product called 'vertebra spring' to distribute uniform pressure to the rubber to ensure performance as well as durability of their products. In order to continue benefiting from utilizing core competence and to continue pursuing technological advancement in the wiper industry, CAP has launched a wide range of products (flat blade, conventional blade, hybrid blade) applicable to 95% of the vehicle in the market. Conclusion - Taken together, CAP has many aspects of a hidden champion company by investing in R&D up to 8% of its annual sales to R&D investment even during the crises situation. This number is about 3.36 times higher than the average ratio of listed companies in Korea. Furthermore, the leadership of the management team as well as their vision toward the global market and strong commitment to innovation enabled CAP to become the world's fifth-largest wiper and Asia's No. 1 wiper manufacturer.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.7
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• pp.259-272
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• 2020

In fostering dynamic, innovative SMEs, hidden champion companies can be an appropriate model for SMEs to learn the success factors. On the other hand, the need for intellectual property management is becoming important as the value of a company is changing from a financial asset to an intellectual property. Therefore, in this study, the patent portfolio analysis of the hidden champion companies mentioned in Herman Simmon's book "Hidden Champion" was performed. As a result of the analysis, it was confirmed that patents are not possessed or patent activities are actively carried out and a differentiated intellectual property management strategy is implemented to improve patent quality depending on the characteristics of the technology possessed. The results of these studies can be used as basic data to prepare an intellectual property management strategy for companies that want to create opportunities to acquire monopoly rights and reduce patent maintenance and management costs. In addition, in this study, the patent IPC analysis verified that Herman Simmon's claim that "Hidden champions have the ability to focus on core competencies and focus on one technology" is valid.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.185-203
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• 2014

In thus study Hidden Champion of Europe looking for ways to global competitiveness through case study of the country's mid-sized businesses and then we hope that its innovative capacity is expected to increase. This study shows as follows that mid-sized enterprises try to develop through R&D, financial system and suitable specialized induction, etc. This means that the economy of R. O. Korea achieves the $ 2 trillion in trade area. To develope of first economy, we are trying to establishement on global industrial system, it is important to competitiveness.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.21-33
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• 2016

This paper aims to investigate the relations among the entrepreneurship, SWOT factors, and performance in Korean hidden champion firms. 112 potential Korean hidden champions were drawn at random from the hidden champion candidates of Export-Import Bank of Korea. For analyzing the relationship of them, the entrepreneurship factors categorized with organizational risk taking, innovativeness, and proactiveness from previous researches(Khandwalla, 1977; Miller, 1983; Miller & Friesen, 1978, 1982). Also, four SWOT factors classified into strength, weakness, opportunities, and threat by confirmatory factor analysis. As a result, we found some statistically significant effects between the SWOT factors and entrepreneurship factors, and they sequentially affects to performance. That is, as a presented with previous research, there is verified that entrepreneurship is caused by organizational risk taking, innovativeness, and proactiveness. Also, SWOT factors significantly affect to business performance. Some guidelines for practicing potential Korea hidden champions as a result of this would include; first of all, it is important to support the potential hidden champions consulting approach in global perspectives; secondly, effective governmental support programs for hidden champions should be developed for positive impacts of according to these results.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.97-111
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• 2013

This study reviews preceding research for detailed factors to establish development strategies for Korean Hidden Champion firms and classifies strategy factors into internal ones and external ones through specialists' opinions to draw strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of each factor. It also sets hierarchical model to draw up a survey, distributes the survey to groups of specialists and enterprises respectively and then examines consistency ratio. Fifty-four copies of survey whose reliability on responses is secured through examining the consistency ratio are evaluated with their relative importance in factors by using SWOT/AHP technique and their order of priority is determined. Based on their results, development strategies for Korean Hidden Champion firms are established. SWOT/AHP analyses results show that external factors are with the opportunity of industry growth and the threat of intensified competition and market uncertainty and internal factors are with the strength in order of technological competence, construction competence in customer relation and marketing competence. The weakness in the lack of funds, lack of brand awareness in order. This result suggests that external environments of enterprises that more emphasis should be put on the industry growth and aggressive strategies cannot help but be adopted even in a global competition getting fiercer every day are seen more important. Then, it also seems to be thought that the technological competence including R&D and specialization, construction competence in customer relation and marketing competence should internally chosen for strategies to support strategies. The order of priority in development strategies for Korean Hidden Champion firms is drawn as; (i) aggressive S/O strategy which utilizes opportunities by taking advantage of strengths, (ii) W/O strategy which utilizes opportunities by supplementing weaknesses, (iii) diversified S/T strategy which utilizes strengths to make up for threats and (iv) defensive W/T strategy which supplements weaknesses to overcome threats.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.221-234
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• 2015

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the differences between successful SMEs in Korea and German hidden champions, with respect to both strategic importance and performance of major competitive dimensions, and mode of technology development. Data were collected through survey and public databases, and the sample comprises successful SMEs located in regional area in Korea. The results show that Korean hidden champions are relatively low regarding specialization of business domain and globalization while German hidden champions have positioned in global niche market. It is also found that local firms utilize technology alliances actively for technology development while German hidden champions rely heavily on internal R&D as a primary source of innovation. Based upon these results, policy directions for fostering local hidden champions were suggested.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.202-210
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• 2012

This study was analyzed based on the core competencies that Small Giant enterprises to foster the goals of growth of SMEs mid-sized businesses rather than Global Small Giant enterprises of the business model for a causal relationship. As the result, the average age, sales and number of employees of Korean small giants were 20.6 years, 148.8 billion won and 312.1. This research investigated that Korean small giants were realizing the sustainable growth with the firm shares in the target markets, based on added values in groups and technical powers, although their average age is one third younger than global small giants. The further research needs to develop and select small giants more precisely and strictly. It is expected that small giants will be new growth engines to improve global competitiveness of Korea.

• The monthly packaging world
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• s.316
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• pp.94-98
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• 2019

독일의 경영학자 헤르만 지몬(Hermann Simon)은 그의 저서 <히든 챔피언(Hidden Champion)>에서 대중에게 잘 알려져 있지 않지만 각 분야의 세계시장을 지배하는 우량 기업을 전 세계에 알렸다. 히든 챔피언에 속하는 기업들은 평균 60년 이상의 기업 수명, 평균매출액 4,300억원, 평균성장률 8.8%, 분야별세계시장 점유율33% 이상이라는 공통점을 지니고 있다고 한다. 수출주도형 국가인 우리나라는 많은 히든 챔피언을 필요로 하지만, 지속되는 경기불황 속에서 중소기업이 세계시장을 이끌어가는 강소기업이 되는 것은 결코 쉬운 일이 아니다. 그런데 우리나라 포장기업 중 히든챔피언이라 부를 만한 기업이 있다. 바로 그라비어인쇄 및 컨버팅기계 전문기업 성안기계(주)이다. 세계 유수의 기업들과 어깨를 나란히 하고 있는 성안기계의 신동호 회장을 만나 경영 철학, 해외시장 공략법 등 성안기계가 강소기업으로 성장한 여정을 들어보았다.